Auburn Targets NIT Star Guard as Transfer Portal Drama Heats Up

Auburn Tigers Stay Active in Transfer Portal as Roster Changes Begin for New Season

Auburn Tigers basketball continues to stay active in the transfer market as preparations ramp up for the upcoming season.

With the offseason now fully underway, head coach Steven Pearl and his staff are focused on reshaping the roster following a strong NIT run that ended with a championship win over Tulsa. Even with that success, changes are expected, and Auburn is already engaging potential additions through the transfer portal.

One of the latest developments is an upcoming campus visit from Tulsa point guard Tylen Riley. After facing Auburn in the NIT title game, Riley is scheduled to visit the Plains next week. He will also take visits to Cincinnati and Ole Miss as he weighs his options. The former Cal Baptist guard has one year of eligibility remaining and is expected to be a sought-after name in the portal.

Riley put together an impressive season at Tulsa, averaging 15 points and 4.4 assists per game. He also showed efficiency from the free-throw line, shooting 87 percent, while knocking down 39 percent of his three-point attempts. In the NIT Championship matchup against Auburn, he stood out with 20 points, along with three assists and three steals.

Auburn is also set to host another transfer visitor next week in San Diego State guard BJ Davis, who is considering multiple programs, including Oklahoma. The Tigers are expected to be aggressive in bringing in experienced guards as they look to strengthen their backcourt depth.

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The NCAA transfer portal remains open until April 21, and Auburn has already seen some movement on its roster. Freshman international forward Filip Jovic has committed to UCLA, while freshman guard Kaden Magwood is still evaluating his next destination. Meanwhile, Keyshawn Hall and KeShawn Murphy will not return after exhausting their eligibility.

On the positive side, Auburn has secured returns from several key young players. Freshmen Simon Walker and Sebastian Williams-Adams have both confirmed they will be back next season, joining NIT MVP Kevin Overton in the rotation. However, the program is still awaiting a decision from standout guard Tahaad Pettiford, whose return would be a major boost.

As the transfer portal window continues, Auburn’s roster for next season remains in flux, with several key decisions still ahead.